Tri-County Regional Planning Commission vote on expanding Michigan Flyer services will be reconsidered at next meeting

Wednesday, May 29 — Due to a tie vote at its meeting tonight, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission will reconsider approving a project that would expand Michigan Flyer’s bus routes at its next meeting on June 26.

Same-sex couple in Lansing uses Canadian marriage license to secure property rights not available to same-sex partners in Michigan, potentially setting up court challenge

Just over nine years ago, Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope and his partner, Bradly Rakowski, got married in Canada, with the skyline of Detroit as the backdrop to their ceremony. The marriage is legally recognized in Canada but not on this side of the Detroit River.

Ingham County register of deeds gives legal weight to same-sex marriage, a first in the state

Tuesday, May 28 — Later today, Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope and his husband will file an affidavit with the Ingham County Register of Deed’s Office securing their property rights as a married couple. But they’ll be using their Canadian marriage license as a backing document — a first in the state of Michigan, where same sex marriage is not legally recognized.

Friday, May 24 — Growing its Garden Program and helping Lansing improve its commercial corridors are on the top of the priority list for Jeff Burdick, the new executive director of the Ingham County Land Bank.

Mercury, Venus and Jupiter will form trio of planets in the evening sky

Thursday, May 23 — The cosmic orbits of three planets will appear to be huddled together in the night sky, creating a planetary spectacle that won't happen gain for 40 years. For about a week, starting this weekend, amateur astronomers and experienced stargazers alike will get to see Mercury, Jupiter and Venus in a rare formation.

Lansing Police Department to purchase three additional Automatic License Plate Readers for use later this summer, raising privacy concerns

Later this summer, the Lansing Police Department will roll out Automatic License Plate Readers that will be used to find stolen vehicles, but a Lansing City Council candidate and the American Civil Liberties Union have privacy issues with the technology.

After 10 years, local artist's caricatures will no longer be at Biggby

One of Dennis Preston's favorite places to conjure up grotesque and whimsical characters was the Biggby Coffee at 536 Elmwood Road in Lansing, just south of the Lansing Mall. The local illustrator, designer and caricaturist would draw on coffee napkins and leave them at the store, which could then be "purchased" by giving $10 to the barista on duty. It was a tradition that had been going on throughout Lansing-area Biggby's for the past 10 years.

Lansing School District budget on its way to leaner times next year

Friday, May 17 — On Thursday night, the Lansing School District Board of Education got its first taste of the proposed $142.5 million district budget for next school year — it’s about $22.5 million slimmer than this year’s budget.